First-year Wachusett girls' volleyball coach Al Morel bubbles with enthusiasm when reflecting on his talent-laden Mountaineer squad. Then again, when you're riding a six-game winning streak, boast a 10-3 record and have already qualified for post-season play in early October, why not?
"The kids are having fun and they're working hard," Morel said. "We've got a great group of girls. Everyone has been positive. Plus, we've gotten great support from the parents and administration."
Wachusett's accomplishments this season bear repeating. Besides qualifying for post-season action, the Mountaineers have defeated perennial power Marlboro for the first time. Wachusett captured the best-of-three match, 2-0, winning, 15-13, 15-11. In the previous match against North, the Mountaineers fell behind, 14-16, after one game. However, Wachusett won the next two in dominating fashion, 15-4, 15-1. The Mountaineers have recorded eight shutouts and have more than twice as many game-score points as their opponents.
The Wachusett JVs, coached by Cara Welsh, lay claim to a 7-5 record. The numbers are steady at both levels. Thus, the girls volleyball program, in its fifth year, is headed in the right.direction, noted Morel.
Morel, a Hudson resident and long-time player, is pleased to be associated with Wachusett volleyball. He coached women's volleyball at Holy Cross College for five years during the 1980s and was selected Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference "Coach of the Year" three times. His clubs compiled a 149-59 record. Prior to that Morel coached various levels of volleyball including the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He currently coaches volleyball at St. John's High in Shrewsbury.
Morel believes in positive publicity for the sport he loves. He admitted that coaching at Wachusett is a challenge since the program has no feeder program like soccer and football. Many players have little volleyball experience outside of gym class. However, Morel enjoys teaching and the girls are eager learners.
The result is an energetic coach and a rock-solid team. Junior Caitlin Hendrickson leads a host of standouts. Hendrickson has made major contributions as a setter. Her role is similar, in scope, to that of a point guard in basketball. Senior co-captain Elizabeth Munger has registered 24 aces in 105 serves. Hendrickson has totaled 19 aces in 105 serves, while senior Megan Towle sports 16 aces in 114 serves. Munger has a team-high 54 kills off hits, while senior co-captain Sheree Szumylo has 39 kills off hits.
Other varsity team members are juniors Katy Hays, Meghan LaFlamme, Michele Prunier, Carolyn Longden, Kelly Fraser, Lauren Sutherland and Stephanie Boivard; seniors Samantha Henry and Lisa Hastings, and sophomore Liz Cunningham. Michelle Felix is the team manager.
Morel said all the Mountaineer players have worked hard to understand and perfect the various offenses and defenses that he implements. The rudiments of the sport have come easily, he added. Six players are on the court at a time in two rows of three. Matches are best-of-three. The first team to score 15 points wins. Teams must win by two points.
Wachusett competes in the Mid-Wach A League. However, come tournament time next month things change, geographically, with girls volleyball expanding to include Eastern Mass. schools like Newton and Cambridge Ringe & Latin. The Mountaineers were ousted in the first round last year. This year's team will likely go into the tourney on a roll, and if Morel and his troops have their way, do some damage.
Lisa Hastings skies to spike a ball in a recent volleyball match
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